"Honesty is choosing to be truthful in whatever you say and do"

Each week, I remind the kids about the second part of the definition. It's not just about what you say, but also what you do. You can't tell your parents that you are going to do your homework after you finish your snack, but then decide to go outside and play, then watch TV, then play on your tablet, then eat dinner, and then it's time to get ready for bed and you haven't done your homework yet!

Our story today was about Elisha's servant Gehazi. The story can be found in 2 Kings 5. A very rich man, Naaman came to Elisha to be healed of his leprosy. Elisha sent Gehazi and he told him to dip 7 times in the Jordan River. After some convincing from his servant, Naaman decided to go to the Jordan River and was healed. When Naaman returned to Elisha's house, he brought gifts to Elisha for healing him. Elisha refused the gifts. Not because he didn't want them, but because he didn't deserve them. God was the one to heal Naaman, not Elisha. With that being said, Naaman decided that he would believe in the one true God. Gehazi was not happy with Elisha! He wanted the money that Naaman was bringing. He couldn't figure out why Elisha would not take it. After Naaman had left, Gehazi chased after him and lied to him saying some people had arrived at their house unexpectedly and Elisha would need some of the money that he had offered him. Naaman gave him some (twice as much as he asked for) and Gehazi went on his way. When he got back to the house, he hid the money, but Elisha knew what he had done (as our video said today, don't lie to a man who directly talks to God - a prophet). When Elisha asked Gehazi about this, he lied and said that he didn't go anywhere! Elisha knew that he was lying. His punishment? He now got the disease that Naaman had - leprosy!

So what's the one thing you need to remember from this week's story?

When you are not truthful, you lose trust

Gehazi had been trusted with much from Elisha, but he lost that trust when he went behind his back and lied to him.

Our verse this month is Psalm 119:29 -

Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me your law.

Gehazi was deceitful toward Naaman and more importantly toward Elisha. He lost trust that he had built, all because he lied to his master.

One of our activities this weekend involved toothpaste and craft sticks. The kids squirted the toothpaste out and then had to use the craft sticks to try and get the toothpaste back in the tube. The toothpaste represented our lies. Once we say them, we can't unsay them (get them back into the tube). We learned that if people can't trust you, how are you able to share who Jesus is with them?